Yesterday, I was planning to go disrupt the local gathering of teabaggers that was, according to the paper, going to be held at our beautiful new library today.
Several wise Kossacks talked me down from that. Thanks.
In the end, I didn't do much of anything. Here's the who, what, when, where, and why. -- apre les crease --
I printed off 75 copies of the great post, Thank A Liberal. My revised plan was to wander among the crowd handing them out, or at least leaflet the parking lot.
When I arrived, about 15 minutes before the event, I found out that it wasn't at the library -- a beautiful brand new building that's seeing a lot of use in these times -- but in the parking area of a local business across the street from the end of the lot farthest from the library. There was one fellow who plunked himself directly in front of the library doors with a couple signs.
The crowd of maybe 50 people milled around. I would be willing to bet that none of them, except possibly the organizer, was in any danger of paying more taxes under the Obama Plan. There was a local private security company there, I don't know if they were there on the job or just to wave the bag.
I stood there and stared grinning at the idiots arrayed before me. Then I left my parking space and started to drive around. A couple times, when I found empty parking spots, I pulled into them and blocked them for a couple minutes. Not long enough to cause a serious problem. Just long enough that a couple carloads had to walk a little further. My mere presence snarled up traffic a bit more. Not much.
When it actually started, the crowd had grown. I'm not great at estimates, but I would say there were probably 150 people, 200 at the outside. I found a close place to park, got out of my car, and stood there for a moment clutching my flyers.
My heart was pounding, I was shaking like a leaf. I could tell from my body's reaction that if I set foot among that crowd I would end up starting something. Someone would call me a name or say something stupid and I would massively overreact. I couldn't believe how keyed up, agitated, and ready to wade in and stir up some serious shit.
So I didn't.
I got in my car and drove away. Maybe wisdom, maybe cowardice. I don't know anymore.
But I did not give them any publicity. And I have 75 flyers that I can give to people who might actually listen.
That group wouldn't have. They already have their minds made up. Nothing I could say could change their mind an iota. They are just as unreasoningly partisan as I am. I look at them and think they are stupid deluded tools of their corporate masters. They look at me and see the same thing.
I wear a blue Mobil gas station pump jockey jacket whenever it's appropriate for the temperature. I tell people it's so I remember who it is I am really working for. Some people get it.
So thanks to the people who told me it was a bad idea to let them use me for a target. You saved me considerable embarassment, and maybe a shot in the chops.